Smoking ban hearing underway for West Burlington bar

The state Alcoholic Beverages Division is holding it’s first-ever hearing today about a West Burlington bar’s liquor license after violations of the statewide smoking ban. The West Burlington police chief and a police sergeant testified this morning they saw repeated violations of the smoking ban on several visits to Otis Campbell’s Bar and Grill.

The officers say the bar’s owner, Larry Duncan, admitted to the violations and said he intended to -not- comply with the new state law. It’s the only bar in West Burlington and the officers said there had been no other problems at the establishment.

Police have not cited the bar as the city council says it’s a state law and they want the state to prosecute, as the city doesn’t want to spend thousands of dollars to prosecute the case to get perhaps a $100 fine in return.